Abilene

Translator's Note: This is for the original 3 player Hexagames edition, as opposed to the
translation in the Boy's Room which is for the later, 6 person reprint.

Give each player 2000 dollars.
Each player then chooses a color and a prairie area.

He places his Steers on the starting figures, likewise his Cowboys.
[It will be noticed that three of the steers have a hole in the underside.
These are suffering from Texas fever. Players should note which are so
affected because they are not allowed to look at them later.]

The aim of the game is to try to earn as much money as possible by driving
your steers plus any that you may have rustled from a neighbor to Abilene.

Play

Each player can move 1 to 3 steer a total of three spaces. These three moves
can be split as he wishes between his herd. A steer can change direction only
once. After he has moved he rolls the two dice and two cowboys MUST move -
one for each of the die.

All movement on the die roll must be used. Cowboys can change direction once
but not 180 degrees.

Only one figure can occupy a space unless duelling or rustling. Figures may
not jump.

ABILENE can be moved through but not stopped on by Cowboys.

Rustling

If you move your cowboy onto another player's steer it is captured and must
be brought into play in your own area on one of your starting spaces. If no
space is vacant you cannot capture it. That animal is now moved as though it
were your own. You may inspect its 'health' before you put it on the start
space.

Duelling

If two cowboys occupy the same space they fight. Each rolls a die, the
highest being the winner. If the roll is equal they re-roll. If a cowboy is
defeated in his own land he 'escapes' and is brought back into play as soon
as a cowboy start space is vacant.

If he is defeated in another player's land he is killed and removed from play.

If a player has less than two cowboys in play he can bring an extra at a cost
of $2000 each but he may not exceed two in play.

Bankruptcy

A player may borrow from the bank or from another player. From another
player, a loan is for a fixed term and for an agreed interest. Loans from the
bank are repaid at the end of the game. For loans of up to 2000 he pays 500
dollars interest,

Abilene

When a player moves a steer into Abilene it is sold. He always declares it
as 'healthy' (even if it is not) and the other players secretly write down
whether or not they believe him. He receives payment as follows:

Believed 'healthy'

Not believed 'healthy'

His own healthy steer

$1000 from the bank

$1000 from the bank + $500 from players

His own unhealthy steer

$1000 from the bank+ $500 from players

$1000 from the bank - $500 to players

A healthy rustled steer

$2000 from the bank

$2000 from the bank + $1000 from players

An unhealthy rustled steer

$2000 from the bank + $1000 from players

$2000 from the bank - $1000 to players

[It will be seen from the above that there is a penalty for guessing
incorrectly. Although the 'guessing' is secret players might care to
drop hints about rustled steer in order to mislead.]

THE GAME ENDS WHEN THERE ARE ONLY 6 STEER LEFT IN PLAY - THE PLAYER WITH THE
MOST CASH IS THE WINNER.

Variant

An alternative combat system seems desirable. Each play could be given a suit
of cards. Attackers place down as many cards as they wish. Then the defender.
Each card is worth its face value except pictures which are worth nothing (one
of the picture cards should be removed from play as three are too many). The
cards played are exchanged except the pictures which are retained. Only the
players involved in the duel should see the cards.